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"‘Die, faithless one,’ Echidna rasped, and the Chimera sent a column of flame toward my face.
‘Father, help me,’ I prayed. I turned and jumped. My clothes on fire, poison coursing through my veins, I plummeted toward the river."
This dialogue ends Chapter Thirteen with Percy escaping from several monsters, and it marks the first time Percy truly asks anything of his father. His quote demonstrates both the courage it takes for Percy to trust that his father will protect him from harm as well as Percy’s definitive acceptance of his status as a demigod, as he prays that the water will heal him from any wounds he already bears. This plea indicates that Percy trusts his father enough to keep him safe while he continues on his quest, knowing that he cannot successfully fulfill this quest on his own, and that Percy must claim his father just as his father has claimed him. Percy’s prayer for help is even more significant because when Percy first entered Camp Half-Blood, he admitted that he did not believe in the gods. However, Percy’s quest, and this moment in particular, has changed his perspective.
"‘We will not sit back. But you must be careful. Kronos wants you to come unraveled. He wants your life disrupted, your thoughts clouded with fear and anger. Do not give him what he wants. Train patiently. Your time will come. You’ll have to trust me, Percy. You will live.’"
This quotation appears in Chapter Twenty-Two after Percy wakes up from Luke’s attack. Percy informs Chiron and Annabeth of Luke’s betrayal and wants to get revenge on Luke and Kronos before it is too late. This quote demonstrates the trust that Percy must have in himself as well as in Chiron before making an informed decision about next steps. Throughout the story, Percy is frequently betrayed by people he trusted, but here he must decide whether or not to listen to his role model. Percy also has to trust in himself to keep his emotions under control and not let Kronos take advantage or undermine him. Chiron guides Percy to make decisions that will not only benefit the world, but also keep Percy safe.
"‘Fly, like in an airplane, which you were warned never to do lest Zeus strike you out of the sky, and carrying a weapon that has more destructive power than a nuclear bomb?’
‘Yeah,’ I said. ‘Pretty much exactly like that. Come on.’"
This dialogue occurs at the end of Chapter Twenty as Percy and his friends depart to Mount Olympus to return the master bolt. Annabeth is worried that they will be struck down by Zeus if they depart by plane, but Percy recognizes that they do not have any other choice at this point if they are to return the master bolt before the summer solstice. Even though he is scared of Zeus’s wrath, Percy takes the plane. This represents his trust and faith in the gods for pardon and protection. This trust in Zeus shows Percy’s growth as a character, as he decides to have more faith in himself and the gods rather than operate solely out of fear or anger. To continue their journey, he must trust in the gods to carry him through safely so he can complete his quest, but he must also use his own judgment and skills to rightfully return the bolt.
